COVID-19 positivity rates have been climbing in NYC over the past few weeks, and now they have hit a dangerous threshold: a 3% testing positivity rate over a 7-day average.
When NYC schools reopened back in September, it was under the condition that that numbers stayed below 3% (note this was Mayor de Blasio’s specification for NYC, which is different than the statewide 5% threshold). Mayor de Blasio made the news official just earlier today, only days after he urged New Yorkers that there was limited time to stop a second coronavirus wave in the city.
All NYC schools will close to in-person learning tomorrow, Nov. 19, until further notice.
New York City has reached the 3% testing positivity 7-day average threshold. Unfortunately, this means public school buildings will be closed as of tomorrow, Thursday Nov. 19, out an abundance of caution.
We must fight back the second wave of COVID-19.— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 18, 2020
UPDATE: Health and safety have always been our first priority for @NYCSchools students, staff, and families. To protect our school communities and our city, beginning tomorrow, all @NYCSchools buildings will be closed, and all learning will proceed remotely, until further notice. https://t.co/pE6xcxxWGQ
— Chancellor David C. Banks (@DOEChancellor) November 18, 2020
No word has yet been made on indoor dining and gyms.
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